In the Air Training Corps first aid is considered to be a very important skill to have and so is mandatory for all cadets. There are two courses which are run for the cadets to be completed as part of their regular syllabus training.

A new addition to this section is the HeartStart UK first aid course and is a two hour course completed as part of the First Class Cadet training syllabus.

The course content includes performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), dealing with choking, serious bleeding and helping someone that may be having a heart attack. According to the British Heart Foundation over 1.4 million people have been trained through the Heartstart UK initiative. Upon completion of this short course the cadet is awarded with a certificate of their attainment.

A cadet practicing Resussitation Drills

More information about this course can be found on the British Heart Foundation website under the HeartStart UK Training page.

The Air Training Corps has chosen The St John Ambulance Youth First Aid course as its chosen and recommended standard of First Aid to teach its cadets. This twelve hour course replaces the previous taught Young Life Saver Plus Award and is available to those studying for Leading or Senior Cadet classifications. 200 (Torquay) Squadron will spread this content over a number of parade nights to lighten the load. There is also the option to complete the whole course over a weekend.

A cadet demonstrating making an arm sling

The award consists of several different topics which are listed below:

• Asthma
• Bites and stings
• Bleeding (minor)
• Bleeding and shock
• Bone, muscle and joint injuries
• Burns and scalds
• Chest pains
• Choking
• Communication and casualty care
• Coping in an emergency
• Electric shock
• Fainting
• First aid kit
• Foreign objects
• Head injuries
• Heat exhaustion
• Hypothermia
• Low blood sugar
• Poisons
• Primary survey
• Recovery position
• Resuscitation (adult)
• Seizures
• Severe allergic reaction
• Spinal injury.

After passing both a written and practical exam a St. John Ambulance certificate, valid for three years, is issued on successful completion of assessment, as well as a red circular badge which may be worn on the cadet brassard.

More information about this course can be found on the St John Ambulance website on the Youth First Aid page.